You slowly turn and sense when you are facing in the direction of the creature to be located, provided it is within range. You also know in which direction the creature is moving, if any.

The spell can locate a creature of a specific kind or a specific creature known to you. It cannot find a creature of a certain type. To find a kind of creature, you must have seen such a creature up close (within 30 feet) at least once.

The spell is blocked by even a thin sheet of lead. Running water blocks the spell. It cannot detect objects. It can be fooled by mislead, nondetection, and polymorphspells.